THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has advised political parties to recruit honest polling agents during elections, saying the Commission is often “unfairly” accused of stealing votes for candidates after results are announced. ECZ Commissioner McDonald Chipenzi says the Commission does not manufacture votes but only counts them, stressing that if a candidate’s “electoral harvest” is poor, ECZ can only announce the results as cast by voters. Speaking to political party agents on Tuesday, Chipenzi said the Commission had completed all preparations for the Mbeta Ward by-election in Western Province. “Preparations for the polls have concluded and all election logistics have been put in place, so we’re ready for the polls. We don’t know if you are ready yourselves because...